Chapter 29
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Zuo Qinghuan, are you confused about the situation?" Han Shibin asked displeased, Zuo Qinghuan who finally showed up.
"I thought for a long time; I cannot always be a mistress." Zuo Qinghuan thinks she is still a pretty good mistress; look, she's making coffee for the benefactor.
"So what?" Han Shibin raised his eyebrows and asked. He thought Zuo Qinghuan was a smart woman; she wouldn't be like those foolish women who solely desire to soar to the treetops and become phoenixes, harboring delusions of Madame Han's position—those are not aspirations these women can indulge in.
"Nothing." Zuo Qinghuan said disapprovingly. She doesn't want to completely sever ties with Han Shibin for now. Apart from her connection with him, she has no relationship with Qin Wanshu. Previously, she felt close to Qin Wanshu, but it seemed like her own illusion. If she didn't call her, Qin Wanshu wouldn't call her either. Perhaps Qin Wanshu had long forgotten about her in some corner. This feeling makes Zuo Qinghuan think her skin is thick. If not for her thick skin, Qin Wanshu and she probably wouldn't have any intersection.
Han Shibin felt extremely puzzled. After being away on a business trip for a month, not only did his wife become somewhat distant and strange, but even this mistress who used to know how to please him has transformed as if into a different person. This woman has never disregarded him like this before. Of course, Han Shibin would never have imagined that his wife and his mistress would get involved with each other.
"Don't cross my bottom line again, or else, don't blame me for being ruthless." Han Shibin warned Zuo Qinghuan. He does have a liking for Zuo Qinghuan; otherwise, he wouldn't have had only one mistress for over a year. So, he will allow Zuo Qinghuan to touch the forbidden once, but it doesn't mean there will be a second time.
"Oh." Zuo Qinghuan handed the coffee to Han Shibin, but in her heart, she thought: it would be interesting if your wife had an affair one day. It would be amusing to make you wear a huge green hat*.
*to wear a green hat means to be cuckolded
Han Shibin, seeing Zuo Qinghuan's indifferent attitude, felt extremely angry. His expression turned colder. It's bad enough to be treated coldly by his wife, but even his mistress is rebelling. If a tiger doesn't show its might, will everyone think it's a sick cat? Han Shibin gave Zuo Qinghuan a cold look and left without even drinking the coffee.
Zuo Qinghuan glanced at the coffee, took a sip, and found that the coffee she brewed was indeed delicious. However, seeing Han Shibin angry, she realized her good days might be over. As expected, after leaving the luxurious residence, Han Shibin made a phone call. None of Zuo Qinghuan's credit cards were usable anymore. Zuo Qinghuan secretly regretted not spending more before and withdrawing some cash. However, it was something Zuo Qinghuan anticipated. Han Shibin was no fool; he was shrewd. Yet, his actions weren't necessarily to sever ties with Zuo Qinghuan. He just wanted her to return to being as gentle as before, turning back and seeking him. A wealthy, young, handsome, and generous benefactor isn't easy to find, and Han Shibin is confident about that.
Zuo Qinghuan and Li Xin were very busy. In the bustling heart of the city, Zuo Qinghuan acquired a coffee shop. The rent was extremely high, and she knew that if the business wasn't managed well, her limited savings would go down the drain. Therefore, Zuo Qinghuan personally handled many things. Since the shop was originally a coffee shop, the interior was already decent. With a few adjustments, this coffee shop in the prime location reopened swiftly. Li Xin insisted on the name “La”*, and Zuo Qinghuan compromised. Initially, Li Xin wanted to name it “Lala”, and Zuo Qinghuan wanted to hit a wall when she heard this. Li Xin seemed overly bold as if she wanted to proclaim her sexual orientation to the whole world. Zuo Qinghuan couldn't allow that. After some standoff, Zuo Qinghuan compromised with just one “La". After the opening, they relied on Li Xin, who excelled at making desserts. Most importantly, Li Xin would use her charm to attract wealthy men and persuade them to visit the coffee shop.
*Lā (拉) means to pull / to play (a bowed instrument) / to drag / to draw / to chat / (coll.) to empty one's bowels. Lālā (拉拉) is an internet slang that means lesbian
The Qin family’s presence nearby is both unexpected and expected. After all, this is considered the most bustling area in the city center, with high-end office buildings everywhere. Zuo Qinghuan's target customers are the stylish white-collar workers who appreciate a certain aesthetic.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
….
Both Shi Yunyang and Yan Ruowen, along with their respective executives, appeared at the Qin Group. Qin Wanshu also made a rare appearance at the Qin Group.
"Madame Qian, long time no see." Shi Yunyang greeted Yan Ruowen first, with a truly radiant smile. She couldn't help but appraise Yan Ruowen, who was dressed like the Black Widow, with her hair tied back and a sharp, all-black outfit. It was monotonous, rigid, and dominant, even her expressions were meticulously composed. Although not stunning, she had a certain charm and a strong presence. The three women standing together each had their unique qualities.
Shi Yunyang, on the other hand, wore a pair of fiery red high heels and a vibrant red suit, making her complexion appear almost translucent and radiant to the point of dazzling others.
"Miss Shi, Madame Han." Yan Ruowen nodded slightly toward Shi Yunyang and Qin Wanshu, who were standing together.
Qin Wanshu also responded with a subtle and gentle smile to Yan Ruowen. Her attire, consistently elegant, made her the most comfortable presence for the occasion. The other two seemed either too formal or too vibrant.
Yan Ruowen initially didn't have high expectations for Shi Yunyang, but upon seeing the business proposal presented by the Shi family, she had to reassess Shi Yunyang. With a relatively close gap in strength, Yan Ruowen no longer had absolute confidence in victory. After all, in a situation where the strengths were similar, the Qin family might choose to cooperate with the Shi family, with whom they had a good relationship. However, until the results were out, Yan Ruowen would not concede. She had a premonition that Qin Wanshu might be the key figure in deciding the outcome this time.
Overall, the cooperation terms offered by the Qian family are slightly more favorable than those of the Shi family. However, with the difference not being very clear, there are differing opinions within the Qin family. So, Qin Yu is currently finding it challenging to make a decision.
"Everyone is tired. Let's take a break for an hour and continue later." Qin Wanshu interrupted the meeting, sensing that it had reached a certain level of tension.
"There's a new coffee shop nearby, they say the desserts and coffee are excellent, and rumor has it there are beautiful women. How about going there for afternoon tea?" Shi Yunyang never passes up any opportunity for enjoyment, especially after a whole day of tense meetings; she feels the need to relax.
"That's a good idea. Madame Qian, would you like to join us?" Qin Wanshu didn't forget to invite Yan Ruowen.
Yan Ruowen is accustomed to keeping herself tightly composed, always ready for battle. Therefore, she doesn't feel tired at all. However, when Qin Wanshu extends the invitation, she doesn't refuse. After all, whether she qualifies for the cooperation this time might depend on Qin Wanshu, who has been silent throughout the meeting. Yan Ruowen hasn't expressed any opinions so far and has been diligently listening. She can't quite decipher Qin Wanshu's attitude, especially with this invitation – is it purely casual or something more?
Shi Yunyang raised an eyebrow, glancing at Qin Wanshu. Was Qin Wanshu's invitation to Yan Ruowen purely casual, or did it hold a deeper meaning?
Coincidentally, the coffee shop Shi Yunyang mentioned is reportedly the one managed by Zuo Qinghuan and Li Xin.
So when the three women entered, they were immediately noticed. There was no avoiding it; the three women stood out in the crowd. However, Zuo Qinghuan's first attention was drawn to Qin Wanshu and another woman who seemed very close to her – Shi Yunyang. Zuo Qinghuan focused on Shi Yunyang, finding her hand-holding with Qin Wanshu too intimate, which looked glaring. Although Li Xin doesn't look like an innocent woman, there is a hint of homely gentleness in her essence. Shi Yunyang, on the other hand, seemed to be a true playgirl with her bold gaze. Zuo Qinghuan's sharp eyes easily saw through Shi Yunyang's true nature. Zuo Qinghuan felt that Shi Yunyang and Qin Wanshu standing together looked quite discordant – like having Carmen* standing next to Athena, disrupting Athena's aura. It would be more harmonious to have a little fairy standing next to Athena, Zuo Qinghuan thought to herself.
*Not sure who this Carmen is but according to a comment below (thanks for the info) it is a reference to 'Carmen' a 1875 French Opera by George Bizet which was based on the 1845 novella by Prosper Mérimée. The title character Carmen is depicted as a fiery and seductive gypsy with a free-spirited and unconventional lifestyle, challenging societal norms.
"The boss, is truly a little beauty, just as pure as a lily." Shi Yunyang, upon seeing Zuo Qinghuan, teasingly remarked. Honestly, since she started getting involved with women, she has learned how to flirt with them.
Qin Wanshu was a bit surprised to see Zuo Qinghuan. It seemed like she hadn't seen Zuo Qinghuan for some time. Qin Wanshu noticed that Zuo Qinghuan had replaced all the luxury items on her body. Without the light makeup on her face, she appeared truly young, giving off a somewhat innocent vibe, resembling a pure lily.
"Zuo Qinghuan, come in for a moment..." Li Xin walked out from inside and, upon seeing Yan Ruowen, Shi Yunyang, and Qin Wanshu in front of her, was also momentarily stunned.
Yan Ruowen and Shi Yunyang obviously didn't expect to encounter Li Xin here.
Shi Yunyang became excited upon seeing Li Xin. She noticed the fascinating expression on Li Xin's face when she saw Yan Ruowen and herself, causing even Yan Ruowen's usual icy expression to subtly loosen.
Zuo Qinghuan and Qin Wanshu were both contemplating the same question: Should they act like they know each other or pretend not to?
Author’s Note:
There is another chapter to be updated tonight…
It's really lively when these five women get together…